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aliceboule's review against another edition
4.0
As whimsical as it is serious, Umberto Eco is clearly a master at work in this novel. The author manipulates historical fact and latin as though they were his own, and, in doing so, weaves an incredible captivating story.
alfsan's review against another edition
4.0
good read, quite historical and interesting, funny and witty as eco always delivers
beautifulminutiae's review against another edition
All the casual mentions of sexual encounters and rape were giving me the ick, so I decided to quit while I was ahead
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Misogyny, and Rape
ursineultra's review against another edition
5.0
If reality is illusion, I am fortunate Eco is real.
uhambe_nami's review against another edition
4.0
Baudolino is one of those novels where one needs to have access to a good encyclopedia or an internet browser at all times. Eco gives us homework on every page. That does not mean that it is not enjoyable. Although not my favourite Eco novel, I enjoyed it very much.
The world of Baudolino is one where the line between truth and fiction is deliberately erased. Baudolino is a self-proclaimed liar who confuses what he sees with what he wants to see. When the military campaign of the Holy Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who adopted Baudolino as his son, is less than successful and makes him lose his reputation, Baudolino and his friends forge a letter from Prester John, the legendary Christian King, to the Emperor. In the letter, they tell of the wonderful kingdom beyond the river Sambatyon where skiapods, blemmyes and other humanoid monsters described by Pliny the Elder live and thrive, and which might even hold the secret of the Holy Grail. As soon as the letter is written, the content becomes true to Baudolino. When other versions of Prester John’s letter show up indicating that the legendary King has also been writing to the Pope and to the Basileus of Constantinople, Baudolino and his Emperor go on a quest to find Prester John and the wonders of his kingdom.
Although the novel is slow-paced and requires concentration, the history, mythology and mystery that Umberto Eco presents us with is fascinating. A good read for anyone who enjoys getting lost in medieval times.
The world of Baudolino is one where the line between truth and fiction is deliberately erased. Baudolino is a self-proclaimed liar who confuses what he sees with what he wants to see. When the military campaign of the Holy Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who adopted Baudolino as his son, is less than successful and makes him lose his reputation, Baudolino and his friends forge a letter from Prester John, the legendary Christian King, to the Emperor. In the letter, they tell of the wonderful kingdom beyond the river Sambatyon where skiapods, blemmyes and other humanoid monsters described by Pliny the Elder live and thrive, and which might even hold the secret of the Holy Grail. As soon as the letter is written, the content becomes true to Baudolino. When other versions of Prester John’s letter show up indicating that the legendary King has also been writing to the Pope and to the Basileus of Constantinople, Baudolino and his Emperor go on a quest to find Prester John and the wonders of his kingdom.
Although the novel is slow-paced and requires concentration, the history, mythology and mystery that Umberto Eco presents us with is fascinating. A good read for anyone who enjoys getting lost in medieval times.
nairijan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
An incredibly expansive historical fantasy whose setting is painstakingly crafted and researched, Eco’s Baudolino is a delight for anyone a fan of the medieval era. For everyone else, the novel suffers from its length and its goal to cover history, murder mystery, and philosophy all at once. And for such a longform novel, its characters remain too unbelievably static despite how loveably mischievous they are.
bennought's review against another edition
4.0
While I enjoyed the book, at points it was simply too rambling and ridiculous. I recognize that Eco was trying to tackle a difficult set of concepts (writing a story that is being told to the 'author,' who is recounting it; tackling Medieval conceptions of the world and theology; relativity of truth v. fiction), but often I simply found character decisions or attitudes a bit implausible. Until the very end, it didn't seem that any of the main characters had any malice towards each other, or towards the world in general (saving, of course, Frederick). "Baudolino" is a very fun book to read, especially with respect to the crazy stuff about the world that people believed (or were willing to believe) back then. But as amusing as the imagined races of the citizens of the realm of Prester John were, they mostly fell flat as individual characters--and their debates over doctrinal minutiae became too long-winded and annoying. It is definitely worth a read by fans of the High Middle Ages or Umberto Eco, just be prepared for sections where you are a little bored or just don't care about what is going on.
mrsmae's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
henrikhofgen's review against another edition
3.0
Leukste schimatici: artoryten. Jezus deelde Brood en KAAS. Heerlijk. Jammer genoeg niet Brood, Kaas en Wijn. Of een goede port. Veel opsommingen, minder spanning dan Foucaults slinger, iets minder Gnostici dan De verzoeking van de Heilige Antonius.